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The United Apportionment Plan 


EXPLANATORY STATEMENT REGARDING THE NEW 
PLAN FOR PRESENTING A SINGLE FOREIGN MIS- 
SION APPORTIONMENT TO THE LOCAL CHURCH 


HE representatives of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society 

and the Woman’s American Baptist Foreign Mission Society have come to 
believe that the interests of both societies and of the Kingdom would be 
greatly forwarded if an arrangement could be devised by which the needs 
of work abroad could be presented to the churches in one great foreign mission 
appeal. The most practical method of securing this result was seen to be in 
the uniting of the apportionments of the two societies in the local church. 
Two serious problems immediately presented themselves. First, to arrange 
for an equitable division between the societies of the contributions received 
in response to this united presentation. Second, the recognition of the right 
of the local church to designate its gifts in accordance with its wishes. 


When the representatives of the two sociéties came to a study of the sub- 
ject they were impressed with the ease with which these seemingly difficult 
problems could be worked out. The receipts of the two societies on that part 
of their respective budgets which is apportioned to churches, Sunday schools, 
young people’s societies and woman’s circles have for many years remained in 
about the same ratio as that which has obtained for the last three years, 
approximately two thirds for the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society 
and one third for the Woman’s American Baptist Foreign Mission Society. 
While in some states the ratio obtained between the respective apportionments 
varied considerably from these figures, yet the fact is that in twenty states 
the average ratio very closely approximated the average for all of the states 
of the Northern Baptist Convention. In eight states, whose entire contribu- 
tions on apportionment to both societies last year aggregated a little over 
$100,000, the percentage for the Woman’s American Baptist Foreign Mission 
Society considerably exceeded the average ratio while the percentage for the 
general Society fell proportionately below. While in eight states, whose 
aggregate contributions on apportionment to both societies amounted to a 
little less than $100,000, the percentage for the general Society considerably 
exceeded the average ratio while the percentage for the Woman’s Society fell 
proportionately below. The variations to the advantage of one society in 
the first group of states were practically equalized by the variations to the 
advantage of the other society in the second. 


C 


A careful study of receipts during recent years made it clear that an arrange- 
ment for the division of the total receipts on apportionments by the two 
societies according to the ratio which has obtained between their respective 
receipts on apportionments would on the one hand do no injustice to the 
interests of either society and on the other hand would not deny to the local 
church the right to divide its gifts in accordance with its own desires. In 
view of these findings, the representatives of the two societies therefore have 
no hesitation in heartily recommending the adoption of the following plan for 
uniting that portion of the budgets of the two societies which is to be appor- 
tioned to the churches, with the understanding: 


I. That no effort be made to unite the following items in our respective 
budgets: 


1. Income from invested funds 
2. Income from legacies 

3. Income from annuities 

4. Income from individuals 


II. That we agree to unite only that portion of our respective budgets 
which is raised from churches, Sunday schools, young people’s societies and 
woman’s circles. 


III. That each society in presenting to the Finance Committee of the 
Northern Baptist Convention its budget for the ensuing year, indicate that 
part of its total budget which is expected from the churches on apportionment, 
requesting that after approval by the Finance Committee these two sums be 
presented to the National Apportionment Committee as the united apportion- 
ment for Northern Baptists for foreign missions. 


IV. That the National Apportionment Committee be requested to 
present this united foreign mission apportionment to the state committees, 
with the request that the state committees apportion the same to the churches 
as our united foreign mission apportionment. 


V. That each society shall have the utmost freedom in soliciting from 
individuals that part of its respective budget to be raised from individuals. 


VI. That in the interests of fairness to the work of each society, and 
that there may be no misunderstanding with reference thereto, a joint state- 
ment be sent to the pastor and to a representative of the woman’s circle of 
each local church signed by representatives of the American Baptist Foreign 
Mission Society and the Woman’s American Baptist Foreign Mission Society 
in each district. This statement should indicate the percentage of the whole 
apportionment for foreign missions which is needed for the work of each 
society, and should clearly state that it is the earnest desire and purpose of 


each society in entering into such a plan to unite the forces of the local church 
in a great forward movement looking toward a more adequate support of our 
work in non-Christian lands. To this end the letter should also request that 
the whole church face together its sacred duty and responsibility for raising the 
entire amount needed. 


VII. That the ratio between the two apportionments of the American 
Baptist Foreign Mission Society and the Woman’s American Baptist Foreign 
Mission Society shall be determined by the average of actual receipts by the 
two societies on apportionment from the whole country during the three 
previous years. That it is further agreed that all funds received on apportion- 
ments and not designated by contributing churches to be divided on some 
other basis shall be divided on the same ratio and that said division shall be 
made by the National Treasurers each month. 


VIII. That money may be sent as heretofore either to the district secre- 
tary or representative of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society or to 
the district treasurer of the Woman’s American Baptist Foreign Mission 
Society; but that all money received on apportionment should be divided 
each month by the National Treasurers of the two societies in accordance 
with the accepted ratio, it being understood and mutually agreed that the 
district secretary or representative of the American Baptist Foreign Mission 
Society and the district treasurer of the Woman’s American Baptist Foreign 
Mission Society shall exchange each month itemized statements of the receipts 
from churches, young people’s societies, Sunday schools and woman’s circles 
church by church. It is further understood and agreed that the wishes of any 
church desiring to divide its gifts on any other ratio than that which obtains 
between that part of the respective budgets of the two societies which is 
apportioned to the churches will be carried out. 

In case the ratio which has obtained during the past three years between 
the total receipts of the general and woman’s society should be disturbed 
through the receipt of designated funds, the societies agree that the national 
treasurers shall restore this ratio from undesignated funds. 


IX. That in accordance with the spirit and purpose of the foregoing 
action it is understood and agreed that as speedily as possible the American 
Baptist Foreign Mission Society will organize a group of men in each district 
(using boundary lines now established by the districts of the Woman’s Ameri- 
can Baptist Foreign Mission Society). These district committees of men, 
cooperating with the district secretary or representative of the American 
Baptist Foreign Mission Society and with the district board and representa- 
tives of the Woman’s American Baptist Foreign Mission Society, shall meet 
each year to outline and provide for the execution of a proper cooperative, 
educational, inspirational program, which shall be so practical and com- 
prehensive as to reach each church in the district. 


X. That the two societies thus uniting their budgets request the 
Northern Baptist Convention through the National Apportionment Com- 


mittee to ask each state convention to grant to the American Baptist Foreign 
Mission Society and also to the Woman’s American Baptist Foreign Mission 
Society the privilege of each nominating a representative on the state ~ 
apportionment committee. 


XI. That joint literature looking toward the enlightenment of our 
whole constituency upon the great achievements and opportunities in the 
foreign mission enterprise be prepared and circulated freely, it being under- 
stood that this does not preclude the right of either society to circulate its own 
literature in furtherance of its distinctive work. 


XII. That all workers be urged to bear in mind that we are each and all | 
working not for the glory of either society, but for the exaltation of Christ 
and the extension of his Kingdom throughout the world. The spirit and 
purpose prompting such a cooperative work rests upon the recognition that 
the greatest contribution any of us can make to the Kingdom at home or 
abroad is in the incarnation of the spirit of Christ in our own lives and work, 
and in a larger obedience to the revealed will of God for the extension of his 
Kingdom among all peoples. To this end we agree to unite in asking all 
pastors and churches to pray that the Lord of the harvest may give us larger 
visions of our opportunities and responsibilities, and that we may so work 
together in our labor of love that unprecedented achievements for the exten- 
sion of the Gospel of Christ in non-Christian lands may be made possible. 


AMERICAN BAPTIST FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETY 
Ute Aitchison, Home Secretary 


WOMAN’S AMERICAN BAPTIST FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETY 
Miss Eleanor Mare, 
Home Administration Secretary 








For further particulars or definite information concern- 
ing the work of either society write to 


J. Y. AITCHISON, D.D. | Miss ELEANOR MARE 


American Baptist Foreign Woman’s American Baptist . 
Mission Society Foreign Mission Society 
BOX 41, BOSTON, MASS. 450 EAST 30th ST., CHICAGO, ILL. 


72-5M-6-1-1917 


